South Wales Echo

The Man About Town. Saturday will be a great day for the Welsh miner at the Exhibition, and if one may judge from the number of entries for the Timbering competition and the towns represented, the whole of South Wales will be there. A competition is dear to the heart of the Cymru. In the case of Saturday's trials of skill it can be said that they are eminently useful, because the skill of the miners is developed in the contest, and the necessary preparation for the same. There are to be Welsh Championship competitions "in Timbering, Rope Splicing, Ambulance Work, and Hand Boring, with gold, silver, and bronze medals and small money prizes. I think it must have been the Championship Medals which brought out the competitors, for in the Timbering contests there ire 166 entries. The list of names with addresses surely represents every part of the South Wales coalfield. The rope splicing and hand boring in Pennant stone honours will be closely con- tested for, and it is quite certain that the competitions will be watched^by a crowd of mere outsiders as well as the supporters of the contesting teams, for they work in sets of three and four. The Ambulance section deserves a para- graph all to itself. I 81n never tired of praising the study and practice of Ambu. lance work, and there is no section of Great Britain's workers amongst whom such knowledge can be of greater service than the miners. Of course First Aid know- ledge is of use everywhere—in the street and the schoolroom, in the home as in the eolliery workings—but there are forms of ambulance knowledge which are of special benefit and value to the working miners. 16 is greatly to the credit of the medical profession of the country that Ambulance knowledge has been pushed on to such successful issues. Consequently, the test work has special reference to colliery accidents, and includes rendering first aid to a person after reeeivinji supposed injury from a blown out shot the loading and carrying of the injured person on a stretcher and a method of artificial restora- tion in the case of suffocation due to coal gas. For this competition sixteen squads have entered, and five local medical men will act as judges. Well-trained ambu- lance men at a colliery disaster would be like so many Florence Nightingales moving about among the injured. Dear Man About Town,-The Cardiff School Attendance Officers put in plenty of time and attention where it is not wanted. My children no to school regdlarly from the time they are old enough to sit in the Infant school. But each time one of them it ill for a few weeks I am pestered to death by the calls of the Attendance Officer and notes from the Schools. Can t they spate some of their energies for parents whs don't send their children to sehool at all, or send them very irregularly, instead of worrying us W A neighbour tells me that he has lived in Cardiff for six years and has never seen a School Board official, and for all they know he might have been keeping his children from any school; Is this the way they enforce the Act in Cardiff ( It is a scandalous tUipg that a child of fifteen nowadays should have escaped attendance at school and be unable to read.-Yours, SENSIBLE." A "Cardiffian informs me that he re- members a previous visit of the Royal Marines to Cardiff, when there was no better hall in town for Concerts than "Cory's Coffin" near the Canal Bridge. The march of progress" has stumped along since then. leaving behind the Swiss flail, the Colonial Hall, and the Queen-streec Arcade Hall for very small gatherings. The Park Hall has become the rendezvous for all great public events, but even this magnifi- cent building has proved too small to meet the growing requirements of Cardiff. The Park Hall, however, has proved too spacious for the average lecture and gathering, and too small for occasional concerts and political gatherings. There are very few events which demand a larger hall, but still the wantisfelt. Forlectures, average concerts, and gatherings the smaller but well-fur- nished Cory Memorial Hall will prove a serious rival to the Park, and now comes a confirmation of the statement published here some time ago, that the larger hall is to be built at the back of Andrews's new premises, with entrances from Park-place and through the short Arcade in Queen- street. One hopes that the coming ship will not be spoilt for the proverbial ha'porth of tar. It will be very central and quite close to the Park Hall but in a town like Cardiff there will be room for all. You manage to touch many a sym- pathetic chord in your daily observations on men and things," writes a Ticket-holder of the Exhibition. You said yesterday what I have been thinking for a long time, but could not pot it into form. I have spent a good deal of time in the Maohinery Hall, and have admired the beautiful models and the various heavy exhibits. Idle curiosity soon passed away, and I became a very interested visitor. I soon found that everywhere I looked I saw good honest work and sterling materials. Though I don't know the difference between a piston and a slide valve and could not point out a dynamo, I do admire the fine machinery, which is one source of England's greatness. When I look at a fine engine working away quite smoothly, I see in it the sterling solid British character." Newport is astir The Uskside port has a doubly important year coming, and is alive to the desirability of having a Mayor who will be able to do the honours with credit to the borough. Like all other loyal boroughs, Newport will be well to the fore in the Royal rejoicings on the completion of the sixtieth year of her Majesty's reign. But in addition there is the National Eisteddfod, and I am assured that the 1897 gathering from the standpoint of numbers and general excellence of competitions will far exceed any Eisteddfod of previous years. Newport will not be left behind if it is possible to prevent such a calamity, and consequently they are anxious about the selection of Chief Magistrate. Lord Tredegar is mentioned, and after Cardiff's satisfac- tory experience they could not do better than honour him, for is not he a descendant of Ivor Hael, a consideration which would make him tloubly accepted to all Cymry. But the Cardiff gossips are busy with the name of Lord Tredegar for the Chief Magistracy of the TAFF Port. From Aberdare comes the following :— In answer to your inquirer in last night's Echo, the pawnbroker's sign is the coat of arms of the Medici. Savonarola, who may be said to have been in the employ of the above family, was the founder of pawn broking, and probably used his bosses scented notepaper with their coat of arms on. The sign would be more suitable for doctors. Your", THREE GOLDEN PILLS." Max O'Rell, who gives his entertainment in the Lesser Park Hall, is essentially a fuuny fellow. Like Father O'Flynn, he 41 has such a way wid him." He literally wanders over the earth seeking whom he may devour," in a satirical sense. Racial and national peculiarities are his forte, and he knows John Bull, Sanrly, Pat, and Jonathan and the mercurial Frenchman point by point, just aa a horsey man knows the build, temperament, and points of horses. Max is a specialist in hnman nature on the temperamental side. But he has not, so far as I know, mastered the peculiarities of Wales and the Welsh He likes to do his travelling sumptuously, staying at hotels where pressinga button does everything—as he says of the American Hotels -and these things do not exist in the wilds of Wales, where the most distinct and interesting peculiarities of the Cymric character are to be found. In this Wales has been neglected as in so many things. They paid more attention to Wales in a literary sense during the sixteenth century than authors do at the present day. .>J. I wonder whether Max O'Rell remembers a breeze he had with a Junior Reporter many years ago in a LANCASHIRE town 1 Max had just arrived from America, and was announced to lecture on the subject of Jonathan up to Date-or some such title. The large Mechanics' Hall was paoked, but there was something wrong at the side entrance to the platform, and it subsequently transpired that Max was objecting to the presence of that reporter. He did not go to America for matter to supply newspapers, and declared that unless the note-book was closed lie would not go on with his lecture. To publish the lecture in a newspaper would spoil his coming book I The Secretary negotiated with, then commanded the Reporter to Close the book or leave. The Junior Reporter knew his ground. He could not be ejected for sometliinu he might do," nor was he doing anything which could be construed into annoying the audience. So the reporter stayed on and filled his notebook with Max's latest impressions, and wrote, not the whole lecture as Max was vain enough to suppose would be done, but a half-column summary. I hope Max hae forgiven that Junior Reporter. He certainly forgave the Lecturer, and showed his appreciation by buying all his books and reading them But Max O'Rell is a funny fellow, and has a way wid him all his own.

rrO-DA Y'S WEATHEU. 4.30 P.M. TO-DAY'S FORECAST. tolt JiiMiLAJN i), 3. W., ANJI SOUTH WAIMS. North-westerly breeaes, light one hasy at times. GENERAL.—Stronger wiAds from soafch and south-west are likely to spread orer Ireland and Scotland to-day, but One Weather over Eng. rand With haze or fog locally in the morning.

DA. BttinaifATKR. M,D., U.S.A., 18, Cusfco aa Houae-stieet. ØpUIIa..lO 1;Q. ¡ 7t 9 191

I THE GREEN-EYED MONSTER. I Antony and His elsopatras. A Frenchwoman named MartitA Troular was yesterday charged at the Westminster Police Court with assaulting Marie Gerhard, a com- patriote. The whole trouble arose out of each lady claiming a right of property in the affections of one Mr Matthews, fondly known to both as Tony." Complainant having deposed to the assault, in which an umbrella was used with excellent effect, the following colloquy took place Mr Langton (for the defendant); You are jealous of the defendant ? Complainant Bah I She is jealous of me because I have the pleasure of the acquaintance of a gentleman who she pretends is her husband. He in no husband of hers. (A laugh,) Mr Sheil: What has he to do with you ? Complainant: He is only my excellent friend." (Laughter.) Mr Sheil 3 A mere plfttouio attachment, I suppose ? Mr Langton Did you tell the. defendant that she was trying to take away your Toby"? Witness: I did not. She simply went for me and I knocked her down. Mr Langton said that the fracas WAS unques- tionably due to jealousy. The Frenchman who waq teferrèd to as Tony" was formerly de- I fendant's lodger, and complainant bad taken him away. Mr Sheil fined the defendant 40a, afterwards apportioning some of the amount as costs to ] complainant, or 14 days' hard labour.

Sharkey's Fight. I Graphic Story of a.Rough-and-Tumble Battle With a Welsh Sailor. Terrific Encounter. I Since Tom Sharkey, the sailormaii, matched to I fight Jim Corbett for the championship of the worli, became a central figure in American pugilism, many stories have been told of his remarkable prowess, but the following description of one of his first battles, as told by an officer of the battleship Philadelphia to a Washington reporter, gives a vivid idea of the terrible man Corbett is to meet in the magic ring. The battle waa fought near Seattle, Wash., Sharkey's opponent being a Welsh boatswain's mate, who had used him roughly aboard ship. The, officer Picturesquely Dasorifees the Fight I as follows :Out of a crew of nearly 500enlisted as follows :—"Out of a crew of nearly 500enlisted men there were not enough left aboard that night to spread mess-gear. All hands were ashore. making preparations for this adjustment of differences,' and aft, when the time came around, we did not lose much time in getting over the side, for life in the Navy on a home station is not hilariously interesting, and this thing promised well. When we reached the spruce forest on Seattle's outskirts, where the battle was to be waged, we found our ship's company quietly gathered around a roped enclosure. The men were in a hush of expectancy. None of them had ever seen their landaman shipmate in a fight, although they had heard all about him, and expected great things of him. They had seen the Welsh bo'sun in various drunken scuffles when Lahore on liberty, but from their talk it was plain that he was not liked. The men baoked their opinions with their money, however, and every one of them was there to see fair play, for nowhere can so much honour of this sorb be found as among men-of-warsmen, The men who were to fight Stepped Into the Ring I at the saire time. Both were clad only in swimming tights, and wore strong Government shoes. Even then Sharkey was a squat Hercules. I had never seen such perfect muscular develop- ment. He had a bad look on his face. The Welshman, more than a foob taller than Sharkey, and 50 pounds heavier, looked strong, sinewy, and wicked. There was no time wasted on handshaking when these two men, who hated each other, advanced to the centre of the ring. The Welshman made a feint, and then shot his right foot out like a flash and tripped Sharkey, who went prone upon his back. Quick as lightning the boatswain was atop of him, his knees pinning the supme man's chest, and then ho began to land a rataplan of deadly, cruel blows upon Sharkey's face. It was a foul trick, and the men around the ring did not like it, but all had agreed to let the men fight it out in roagh-and-tumble fashion, and so there was no interference. Since that time I have heard some wonderful stories of this man Sharkey's endurance as a fighter, and I believe every one of them. The Horrible Rain of f-earful Blows I which the Welshmau planted upon the young Irishman's broad face in that first assault would have put out au ossified man. But the landsman only seemed to be aroused to devilish fury. With a wrench that appeared as simple as the flioking away of a fly, he had tossed the petty officer from his cheat, and was upon his feet like a panther. The Welshman was trying to scramble to his feet. He need not have tried, for Sharkey grasped him under the arms and jerked him up with a sudden- ness that must have made his teeth ache. I fight standing up,' he said in quite a loud tone (and I have always rather respected the fellow from that moment). Then he landed both hands with catapultic force straight in the Welshman's face, and the wont down, blood gushing from his nose and ears. Sharkey did not wait for him to get up, but pulled him to his feet again with terrible swiftness. Then he grasped the bo'sun around the waist with both arms, notwith. standing the man's frenzied and powerful strug. glings, lifted him clear off the ground, and liter. ally Hurled Him Through the Air I a distance of ten feet, much as a boy would pitch a rubber ball. The Welshman described an arc as he hurtled through apace, and landed upon his face. He was upon his feet before Sharkey could roach him. aud he rushed at the landsmau, blind with blood and with a really diabolical look upon his faoe. Sharkey caught him around the neck with his left arm in a grip of steel and held him. Wash the blood out of your eyes so's you can see, then we'll go on,' said the young Irishman. While Sbarkey held his enemy so that he could not move a man sprang into the ring and sponged the blood from the Welshman's eyes. Then Sharkey released him with a push, and the two began to box. It did not seem to me that either man knew anything about boxing, but the landsman landed five desperately fierce blows (they echoed sickeuingly through the forest) to one of the bo'sun's. Then came the Climax of this Rather Weird Battle. I The two men clinched and the Welshman, utterly forgetful of Sharkey's magnanimous treat- ment of him, lIunk his teeth in Sharkey's neck and held on hka a bulldog. The men around the ring cried out tt this (we saw it all, unseen, from a little knoll), but Sharkey, who had erown a i:rifle pale, said in a quiet voice Never mind, I can end this.' He got the Welshman's thront in a vicelike clutch between bis fingers. In 10 seconds the biter loosened his hold with a gasp. The marks of his teeth were a quarter of an inch deep in Sharkey's neck and the landsman was white with anger. But lie seemed to rather iicorn striking so incapable and brutal an antago- nist. He grasped the man about the waist with mighty strength and once more hurled him through the air. Before the bo'sun could struggle to his feet Sharkey was upon him like a lion, clasped him about the middle and cast him through space to the other end of the ring. Thus he threw him back and forth three times more- every movement incredibly swift and strong. When he tossed him the last time the Welshman's liead struck a stake. He was out. The fight was o,ier.Nete York World.

A BABY BUDDHIST. I First Cingalese Child Born in London. I lnterestirig Ceremony. I One of tho lacewomen in the Cingalese Palace at the Earl's-court Exhibition, named Carolina Hami, gave birth on the 17th ult. to a daughter, which is said to be the first Cingalese child born in London, Yesterday afternoon there was a large gathering of spectators in the Empress Theatre to witness the "naming" ceremony of the baby. The proceedings commenced with a procession of girls wearing saris, and when all Were assembled on the stage they sang a very fine chorus, the music of which was reminiscent of that used in the spectacle India," After- wards the Cingalese engaged in Klysia made their appearance, being headed by two priests wearing chrome-ooloured robes faced with gold trimming and turbans of silver tissue. Then came Mrs Hami—a bright-eyed little woman in deep rose drapery, with a white woollen shawl covering her shoulders-her sister-in-law, and a nurse carrying the infant, all three walking under a canopy supported by four men. In the centre of the stage there was a table with a sea- green satin cloth, and on this was a brass figure of Buddha in contemplation and two richly-chased vases of the same metal filled with flowers. In front of the table were three stools, on two of which stood the priests, the middle one being occupied by the mother, who sat with her back to the audience. The ceremony began with a chant m Sanscrit by the priests, in the course of which came this invooafciou Buddha wishes the child health, wealth, and prosperity, hoping she will have no enemies and plenty of good luck, aud be a comfort to her parents to a great age. As pure and as lovely as these flowers are may h" be. and I, the headman of the Cingalese here present, according to the custom of our country, name the child London Hami, after the town in which she was born.' Before the ceremony was brought to an end the mother was sprinkled with rose leaves as she knelt In front of the figure of Buddha, and the Cingalese performed some stiok dances. The actual proceedings terminated with a chorus of praise" and the National Anthem, the mother and daughter returning to the Cingalese Palace, where u public reception was held. It may be mentioned that the child, whose father ie in Ceylon, did not once cry.

NEW RAILWAY. To-day the Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire Railway was opened for passenger and good; traffic. The new line, which is in direct cocnpc tion with the Caledonian, and will be worked by that company, runs from Glasgow along the north bank of the Olyde to Dumbarton, a distance of 17 miles. From Dumbarton running powers have been granted over the North British line to Lfeob Lomond, which should be of great advantage to tourists.

SOUIH WALES TIDE TABLE. S^t. C ,l'-l>urr- 3WAMB1SA.1 NEWPOBTt Octi Mor.|Evn.|ngt Mor.iEvii.jHgl. Mor.|K»n ^Hut 23M10 810 2^28 10 9 171 9 3626 610 21:10 3529 3 29 T10 4111 526 10 9 56!10 2.5 010 5411 1827 3 30 W11 37 i 24 1110 5211 2623 11111 501 -25 4 1 'T 0 16 1 3?A 4 0 923 9; 0 29 1 1624 9 2 F 1 55 2 45 25 If) 0 56 1 47 25 0, 2 8 2 58 26 3 3 SL 3 28 4 2 28 9 2 iO 3 5 27 II S 4H 4 15 29 2 4 5 4 28 4 563 a 3 33 4 029 4: 4 41 5 932 7 5 Mi 5 22i 5 4535 3 4 26 4 4931 3 6 38 5 58 35 8 *R«>at.h Basin, tt'rince of Wales Pit. tAlexandraDk

= TO ADVERTISERS, The South Wales Echo i., GUARANTEED to have a Larger Circulation tban that of ALL the other Evening Papers of South Walee and Monmouthshire added togethor. • As regards Cardiff alone, it is almost) un- necessary for ns to add that the circulation of the South Wales Echo is IMMENSELY GREATER than that of any other Evening Paper.

r Railway Accidents. i I BOARD OF TRADE RETURN. I The general report to the Board of Trade upon I accidents that have occurred on the railways of the United Kingdom during the year 1895 was issued to-day. The number of killed was 1,024. Of these 83 were passengers, but only five of them met thfcir deaths from accidents to trains, the I remainder losing their lives from other oauses, including any accidents from their own want of caution or mieoonduct. The servants of companies or contractors killed numbered 442, and other persons, inclading trespassers and suicides and those run over at level crossings, 499. The total number of persons injured, including all injuries, however slight, was 4,021, of whom 399 passengers ware hurt by accidents to trains and 710 from other causes. Servants of companies or con- tractors injured numbered 2,654, and other persons 258. In addition to the above the companies have returned 66 persons killed and 6,297 injured from accidents that occurred on their premises, but which were not oonnected with the movement of railway vehicles. The tonal number of passenger journeys, exclusive of journeys by season ticket holders, was 929,770,909 for the year 1895, or nearly 18,500,000 more than in previous years. Calculated on those figures the proportions of passengers killed and injured during 1895 from all causes were one in 11.202,059 killed aud one in 838,367 injured. In j 1894 the proportions were one in 7,789,854 killed and one in 780,319 injured.

CARDIFF RATES. THE OLD AND THE NEW ASSESSMENTS I Special Meeting of the Council A Penny Knocked the Rale. A special meeting of the Cardiff County Council was held at the Town Hall this morning: to sonsider a proposal by the Finance Committee to after the date upon which the general district rate for the period beginning on October 1st, 1896, and ending on March 31st, 1897, be made from October 12th to December 14th, to allow of the rate being made upon the new assessment and valuation of property. Alderman David Jones (deputy mayor) presided. In the absence of Councillor F. J. Beavan Councillor George David said that probably some members of the Council had not quite understood the position. It seemed that at the time that the estimates were completed, and the rate of d recom. mended to the Council, the latter were informed that it would be quite impossible for them to have the now estimates in time for this rate. lb subsequently transpired that the new assessment would be made very much earlier than was originally expected in fact, it was now ready. Thoy were also informed at that meeting of the Finance Committee that there would be an increase of assessment which, after making due allowance for appeals, might be ostimaked at £ 40,000. It had been felt that this was a very large sum, and that it would be desirable to get it and that the best way to achieve this end would be to postpone the making of the rate for a month or two. At that time it was not deemed advisable to reduce the rate, but he (the speaker) had been informed this morning that the figures given to them at that time had been very much underestimated, and that instead of £ 40,000 tho assewment would be increased by L60,000, of course after allowing for appeals and possible reduction in assessment. He (the speaker) felt that under these circumstances the situation had somewhat altered, and Mr F. J Beavan conourred with him in the suggestion that as the assessment was largely increased they would be quite wise not only itt postponing the making of the rate, but in view of the greatly increased assessment of reducing it from Is 4d to 1st 3d. It was a very gmtifying position to find themselves in. and he had great pleasure in moving tha1: this be done. Alderman JACOBS hoped that due and proper regard would be taken of the effect that invariably followed on such occasions, namely, appeals for reiluotion of valuation. Councillor EVANS, in seconding the proposal to postpone the making of the ratu and the reduction from Is 4d to Is 3J, went into some detail re- garding the actual increase in assessmeut that was to be expected. Mr Hedley's valuation had been £ 70,000. Now from -210,000 to P.20,000 of that had been outside the borough, so they might actually, estimate that at £ 40,000 or E50,000, But quite apart from this there was a large increase in somo of the parishes. In St. hry's this could be safely estimated at not les8 than £ 20,000, while in St. John's it was not to be represented by a smaller figure thau 218,000. In Canton and Roath there were, ho was informed, increases similar in proportion. If they reckoned the inerease in Roath as £ 10,000 and in Canton as E5,000, this would give them a total of £ 53,000 independent of Mr Hedley's valuation. If the latter was added thi, would give them a total increase of £ 93,000. On a Is 3t rate this was equal to C5,812 10,4. A penny rate on the whole assessment only amounted to less than 24,000, so that they would on this estimate really be on the riglit side. Councillor JKNKINS ngreed, and AldormanCARhJY pointed out that even if they didn't quite make up the penny rate, they would be able to do it next httif year. Alderman D. JONES thought that the Council wereperfeotly justified in carrying out the pro- posals that had been made. Councillor MlLDON said it was unlikely there would be many appeals that would prove success- ful. It was not so raach a case in which the assessments had been raised :m that they had been utterly neglected since 18S9, and had now been revised. The resolution to postpone tho making of the rate and to reduce it from Is 4d to Is 3d was adopted unanimously.

WOMAN'S lIMI rATiONS. I In the October number of the Englishman, a I well-informed writer examines the secondary sex characteristics" of woman, with the object of arguing againsb the soundness of Woman's Suffrage. A woman," we are told," ctia carry a baby longer than a man and feel the burden less hub she can seldom hit a uail on the head without hitting her fingers. She excels in endurance of moderate exertion, longcontinued, as man dous in violent, intensive action, a difference having an important bearing on the problem of occupation. Emotionally the differences are more marked. As regards intellectual capacity, women learn more easily, are more nim ble and versatile, remember better, study better, take things more seriously." But, proceeds the writer, woman oannob crette. Women musicians and lovers of music, their nams is legion, but there is no oomposer. In painting her achievements usually end with the mastery of technique. A teacher knows how spontaneously a woman gravitates towards poetry aud lives in its atmosphere, but she writes 110 poetry that endure'! Look where you will. the same is true. The new thoughts, the daring combinations, the mighty undertakings that have joined sundered countries, and put asunder lands that God had joined, theso I have been man's contributions to progress." The radical woman movement is defined by the writer Ins nothing more or less than an effort to go beyond her natural vocations. It is observed Woman would gain infinitely morB to be eman- cipated from the barbarism of modern housework than by any change in her political status she is far more tyrannised over by her skirts than by her husband she is more in need of pookets than of political rights." C-o-

A Cardiff Mystery. I Shocking Discovery at Grangetown. I A CHILD'S BODY FOUND. I Shortly after 6 o'clock this morning the Cardifc police were apprised of the discovery of the dead body of a newly-born male child on a piece of >- waste ground at Grangetown. The place wbere the body was found is situated on the southern s side of the Great Western Railway, and is at the extreme end of Virgil-street, one of the localities occupied by the poorer working classes of Cardiff. It is evident that the body had been placed there during the night very carefully, for no bruises are visible on the body. It was tied up in a blaek f shawl, and then covered with a piece of red quilt, this in turn being enclosed in a ptllow-slip. The discovery was made by a man who was oil his way to work, his attention being attraoted from the path he was travelling by the strange* looking bundle. He gave information to P.O. Young, and the constable removed the body to the Bute-street Mortuary. There are no marks on the clothing likely to lead to the discovery of the mother. One of our representatives visiting the mortuary subsequently was shown the body of the child. It is fully developed, and bears a healthy appeav ance. The Coroner, who has been communicated with, has ordered a post-mortem examination and the inquest has been fixed for to-morro" evening,

FROM TONYPANDY. Alleged Assault on a Domeatio Servant-1 Yesterday Annie Carver, aged 16 years, daugill ter of a Tonypandy hairdresser, summoned Jobs J. Williams, manager of the Tonypandy Co- operative Stores, Tonypandy. at Pontypridd Police Court for assaulting her on August 26tb. Mr Gray, solicitor, Pontypridd. prosecuted, and Mr J. Bowen Rowlands, solicitor, Pontypridd) defended. The complainant said she had been in the service of the defendant and hts wife for eight months. On August 2i she returned from a week's holiday at Porthcawl with the defendant's wife. Before: she retired to bed that night she placed a candle and a box of matches on the dining-room table for Mr Williams, who had not arrived at the bouse when she went to bed at half.past 11. About an hour later she was awakened by the defendant calling for matches. She told him where they were, and on seeing the defendant open her bedroom door she jumped out of bed. She looked about bed room for a match, and whilst she did so the defendant caught hold of her and attempted to kiss her. She asked her master to leave the room. He did so, and in a little time returned and apologised, saying he had been drinking that night, The next moining witness complained to a neighbour, and when Mrs Williams returned from Porthcawl that evening she told her what had occurred. The defendant on hearing this ordered her te go home. Mrs Williams interfered, aud asked that she (witness) might remain that nigbb The defendant, however, ordered her home, and she left at 10.30 p.m.—Replying to Mr Boweo Rowlands, the prosecutrix denied that her parents demanded hush-money.—Wm. Carver, the girl'8 father, said he went to the shop the following morning, and only demanded the girl's wages in lieu of notice.—Cross-examined These proceed* ings would probably not have been taken had not the defendant taken proceedings against hie daughter for slander in the High Court,—The Bench dismissed the case.

THE PRINCE OF DARKNES& An Unfortunate Victim. j Fear of the devil, coupled with the excitement prevailing in view of the Czar's visit, had unhinged the mental faculties of a wealthy Paris merchant. Like the polioeman who went mad about the Russian Emperor, the latest lunatic was a public danger, as he insisted on discharging firearms in the street. He rushed out from his, house near the Lyons Station last night, armed with two revolvers, and began a brisk fusiladejan the trees and walls near him. When he had used up all his ammunition he ran howling along the highway pursued by two policemen, who, after an exciting chase, brought him to bay. The unfortu- nate merchant was under the impression that be had to carry on a campaign against the Prince of j Darkness, who had transformed him into another Faust aud wanted his soul. Convinced M to the fact that the devil was dragging him to his undee- ground abode, he resolved to take arms against hisformidable enemy.{The|merchant|is supposed to have lately been much impressed by reading about the worshippers of Satan, who have a meeting- place near his residence. These people have beett regarded as serious by some, but no sensible person believes in their antics and incantatioas, which are adopted for advertisement purposes. i — i

NEWPORT POOR LAW UNION. j A Division Sanctioned Newport Borough a Distinct Union. A communication has been received from die Local Government Board virtually sanctioning the proposed division of the Newport Poor La. Union into two parts. The preeent Union extends from Magor to St. Mellon's, and includes the borough of Newport and the Western Valleys of Monmouthshire up to Newbridge, The board which governs it, owing to the large- ness of its numbers, is quite an unwieldy body, consisting as it does of 80 members. The Unioo will be divided, so that the borough of Newport will be formed into a Poor Lw Uniou of itself, and the parishes outside Newport will constitute the new Poor Lave authority. Newport is at present represented on the Board of Guardians by 30 members, so that the division will bring the membership of the two boards within reasonable bounds. The Newport Union willretain the present Workhouse, whilst tho Caerleon Industrial Schools will be converted into a workhouse for the new Union. It is anticipated that the pauper children undet the new regime will be boarded out in cottage iioiiiefi-At least, as far as Newport if concerned. The new arrangement is lie come into force at the end of the term of office of tile present board-in April, 1898—so that a period of just over 18 months is given for carrying out the necessary work at Caerleon Schools and making the other arrangements necessary owinf to the change.

CARDIFF STABBING CASE, Prisoner Committed. To-day at Cardiff Police Court Dennis Casey, t labourer (24), was charged before Councillors F. J. Beavati and F. H. jotham with having cut and wounded a fellow-labourer and fellow-countryman, named Daniel Donovan, while in the Qneen's Head Hotel, Bridge street, on Wednesday. Donovan said he went into the house, and when he Will having a drink defendant became oubrageoua and struck at him with a knife. Defendant denied. that statement, and said Donovan wae in the habit of following him about and "sponging" him for drinks. Dr. Cresswell, tiouse surgeon at the Infirmary, said he dressed prosecutor'* wound. It was a clean cut just behind the left armpit, and was two inches long aad nearly as deep. It must have been caused by • knife, as there were punctures in Donovan's alottv 109 which corresponded to the wound Defendant was committed to take his trial at tb. next Assizes.

BOOTS FOR PAUPERS. A Contractor's Explanation. One fortnight is the average life of ebe bObU supplied to the children of the Lambeth Union.* Tliis information was given by the headmaster of the Norwood Schools to the board at theit niebtitig yesterday. One lady inemberfitatedthaa the solos were composed of brown paper betweec two thin layers of leather, while another guar. dian said the heals were almost entirely made ot composition. The contractor (Mr Booock) at. vended, and said a mistake bad been made. He offered to take back the unused boots and replace or repair those which had been worn and I were found to be inferior. Upon a division this proposal was rejected, aud a special committee was appointed to deal with the mallter. _l._

I ROBBERY IN A TRAMCAR, I Money in a Stocking, Bella Pdweti (25) was, at Cardiff Police Court this afternoon, sent tc prison for 14 day» with hard labour for stealing a five-shilling piece and < this afternoon, sent te prison for 14 (lays 7itb hard labour for stealing a five-shilling piece and < penny from Henry Samusl MoseL. on the 30tit September. it appeared that prosecutor mf). Powell outside the Queen's Hotel Vaults, and subsequently she followed him into a Cantos tramcar, sitting next to him. On alighting Its I found the money missing, and accused her 4 taking it, but refusing to give it up he called I constable, whe went to her residence and dit covered tho money in sr.? of her stocking*.